Flowers In The Snow

Chapter 6: Something Precious

Inuyasha sent the enormous force of Tessaiga's wind-scar attack toward Nibori-sama, Kanna and Mahoumaru, missing Sesshoumaru's figure by inches.

Knowing that time for decision making was up, Sesshoumaru leapt into the air, releasing Soryuuha at Naraku's rapidly disintegrating minions.

When the attacks cleared, the half-brothers searched for the bodies in the dust, but none were there! There was no way they could have withstood the combined attack, their bodies had disintegrated before their eyes!

"Inuyasha!" a familiar female voice cut through the night.

Sesshoumaru turned to see the figure of Kagome, his brother's woman, pointing behind them.

Mahoumaru laughed as he, Kanna and Nibori-sama reformed in a differentg part of the palace compound.

"It is not their real form!" Miroku shouted as he and Sango ran to join the fray. The monk took out a sheaf of talismans and threw them at the figures. They shimmered for a moment before disappearing, leaving the talismans blowing in the wind. "They have hidden themselves well, even their shouki is masked."

This was all going wrong! Naraku's minions had out-smarted him! Sesshoumaru clutched his shoulder, and began to growl. Rin. They had Rin, and he had wasted his one chance to kill her captors!

"Inuyasha, you great fool!" he hissed.

"I saved your ass, you jerk!" Inuyasha rounded on his half-brother. "With that wound in your shoulder, you don't think you would have gotten very far, do you?"

"You have no idea what's going on here, I suggest you don't interfere."

Inuyasha backed away from his half brother. He recognized all the danger-signals of Sesshoumaru becoming consumed with rage. His half-brother's eyes were burning red, his jaw extended and filled with sharp teeth, his height taller than usual.

"Keh, I knew enough about what was going on! You were just standing there bleeding in front of Naraku's three little shits, they could have taken you out in a blink of an eye...and if you had stared into that fuckin' mirror too long, you would have lost your soul, do you know that? That kagami is some sort of shit magical device!"

"Inuyasha," Kagome ran towards him, her bow and arrow in her hands, "Sesshoumaru." She acknowledged his half-brother's presence but kept her distance as the tai-youkai was still in half-demonic form.

With a cry of concern, she noted the severe wound in the shoulder of his remaining arm. "You're really badly hurt!"

Sesshoumaru's eyes returned to their usual deep gold and his jaw shortened. He looked over the Inu-tachi who had gathered and turned his back on them.

"I don't have time to stay here chatting with you." With that, he turned into a ball of light and flew away.

"What's his problem?" Inuyasha growled. "Keh, his fighting powers must have lessened for him to get that wound..."

"It looked like a very unfair battle," Miroku said, glancing around at the pile of youkai and orochi bodies in the palace compound. "Sesshoumaru was pretty badly wounded, he must have fought to defend the Orochi against thousands of youkai. We've not seen so many youkai since...since..."

"Since Naraku's time" Sango said bitterly. "That was Kanna, his last surviving minion...and two other youkai we've not seen before."

"One was an Orochi, I'm sure" Inuyasha said. "He looked like an Orochi Lord, probably Nibori-sama who owns this palace. Why on earth was he on Naraku's side?"

A groan at their feet distracted them from their discussion.

"A survivor!" Kagome ran over to the injured Orochi and dropped to her knees beside him. A large, iron, arrow pierced the Orochi's heart...he was clearly some sort of prince, by the look of his fine armour.

"I...am...Nissho, son of Nibori....sama..." Nissho wheezed, blood spilling from his lips.

Inuyasha looked on in surprise...the prince of the Lord of the Western lands, dying?

"Ssshh, don't speak, we'll get you healed." Kagome soothed.

"Too....late...for me." The Orochi closed his eyes and heaved another bloody breath. Some spattered onto Kagome's yukata, but the kind and brave miko did not flinch. "A...trap..." he continued, "All were tricked...chichiue...is...possessed. They lured Sesshoumaru-sama here with...blood...our blood...they wanted t...t...tenseiga."

"Tenseiga?" Sango exclaimed.

"Ssshh" Kagome scolded, "He is not finished!"

"...they...kidnapped someone..." Nissho-sama saw a bright light before him. It seemed too much effort to continue speaking, it seemed so much easier to let himself rest in that light. But he had much to repay to Sesshoumaru-sama and his people, his Orochi had been used by Mahoumaru to trap Sesshoumaru at the cost of their own blood. His own chichiue possessed by an evil spirit! He had heard all this as he lay dying by Sesshoumaru's feet. He also knew they had kidnapped Sesshoumaru's 'little girl'...he must let them know....Someone was shaking him.

"Who!" Inuyasha demanded roughly, "You kept alive to give us information, so dammit give it before dying."

Nissho wheezed blood again. Kagome smoothed his face with her hands. The Orochi was nearly dead.

"They...called...her...Rin..."

With that last sentence, Nissho slumped in Kagome's arms, and Kagome knew that he had told them all he wanted to.

"Rin!" Inuyasha sniffed, "That girl is more trouble than she's worth!"

"No wonder Sesshoumaru looked so angry," Kagome said. "All this well-planned trickery and using of people, it's classic Naraku strategy."

Sango felt her heart tighten at the memory of Kohaku's last fight with Naraku. How Kohaku had given up the shikon shard to Kagome at the expense of his life. Now that bastard was back!

"But my kazaana is still closed." Miroku said, his eyes knotted in puzzlement. He removed his rosary and covering to check on his hand. "Surely if Naraku had returned, it would re-open." Even though he did not need to bind his hand any longer, it was habit that made him wear the rosary. An insecurity he never got rid of.

"Yes, that's strange" said Sango. "Kanna being alive is no surprise... but who were the others? And this whole place stinks of some shouki that is like Naraku's and yet isn't!"

"Weren't you listening?" Inuyasha folded his arms and sighed, "Those minions were after Tenseiga...think, what use would Naraku have for my half-brother's sword?"

"Tenseiga can revive the dead." Kagome said quietly. "But why wait so long?"

"I have no idea! Do I look like a fricken' encyclopedia on Naraku or something?"

"Well, we have it half figured out," Miroku said, "Clearly Naraku is controlling his minions through his ghost...his shiryou must have possessed that Orochi Lord, who I assume is Nibori-sama. His shiryou is weak though...having no real power here except for that of mischief and possession. That grey-cloaked figure seemed to be the more powerful one, I could feel his shouki strongly...it was the same as Kanna's. He seemed to be the one to create the illusion of those three people."

"Who was he, I wonder?" Kagome mused. "Anyway, let's get out of here, this place gives me the creeps. We don't have time to waste."

"Eh? Where are we going?"

"Inuyasha, let's go and look for Sesshoumaru and offer him our help. He didn't look in too good condition, we might be able to help."

The expression on Inuyasha's face was beyond description. "NAAAAANIIII?" He howled, "Help that worthless shit?! Are you out of your..."

"Inuyasha...O-su-wa..."

Inuyasha shut his mouth abruptly.

Miroku and Sango agreed with Kagome instantly. Being parents of young children themselves, they couldn't bear the thought of Rin being kept captive somewhere.

"All right, but you do the talking. I'm not talking to that bastard."

"O-K!" Kagome agreed cheerfully. She was not really frightened of Sesshoumaru. Years of knowing him made her realize that he would not harm others without reason. If his manner was infuriatingly snobbish and aloof, that was a different matter.

"Good luck, don't blame me if he bites your head off. And I mean that literally."

"If it's Naraku that's involved, we've got to take him down." Sango said spiritedly. "I would kill that jerk a hundred times and it would still not be enough to avenge Kohaku."

Kagome climbed onto Inuyasha's back and Miroku and Sango climbed onto Kirara.

"Well?" Kagome said, pulling one of Inuyasha's ears.

"What?"

"Aren't you going to start following Sesshoumaru's scent?"

"Keh! He stinks like shit! You owe me one, Kagome!"

Kagome kissed the back of Inuyasha's neck, "O-K!" she whispered. Inuyasha blushed bright red and started off at break-neck speed. Kirara took to the sky behind him.

"Arigato, Inuyasha." Kagome whispered into his ears as they flew through the breaking dawn. Fields, trees and rocky landscape unfolded smoothly beneath the hanyou's feet.

"Kagome, don't get into danger all right? I will protect you."

"I know."

Rin hung silently in the stone room. Her hands were tied painfully above her head with strong iron chains. When would that awful Mahoumaru come to torment her again, she shuddered at the thought of him. His jyaki was so evil, she felt like vomiting when he was close. Then there was that little girl in white... she recognized her as one of Naraku's servants. But how could Naraku be involved? She had seen Sesshoumaru-sama and Inuyasha and Kagome kill him eight years ago!

Rin puzzled it out in the dark. Dawn was breaking and her little cell filled with pale light from a window set near the ceiling. Sesshoumaru-sama would be coming to save her anytime now, she wasn't worried at all. All she would have to do was wait, and keep alive, and he would come to save her. This sort of kidnap had happened before when she was young, she was sure it would be the same this time. These horrible people would keep her here for a while only till Sesshoumaru-sama came to kill them.

When Ongokuki, the child-stealing youkai, had kidnapped her when she was young, Sesshoumaru-sama had saved her. As he had for Takemaru and Naraku when she was held by them at different times. She only wished she could stop being so much trouble to Sesshoumaru-sama. If she was stronger, she could fight and defend herself...but Sesshoumaru-sama never liked to see her hold a sword. He would take it from her hands and fill them with flowers instead. Rin vowed to herself that after this, she would insist on self-defence lessons at least. Hadn't Kyoko said it was essential for everyone to learn self-defence? She wondered why Sesshoumaru-sama never let her fight.

Jaken and Ah-Un were pretty useless last night as well. The youkai who had kidnapped her had simply pumped some sort of stunning gas at them and they had collapsed. She knew they weren't dead because as she was being carried away, she heard Jaken screaming her name in panic. She couldn't call back because one of the youkai held a knife at her throat.

She flexed her fingers again. They were numb and bloodless from being tied up above her head so long. They felt like she had been building snowmen again! Despite her predicament, Rin smiled. Hurry up, Sesshoumaru-sama. I will wait for you. She heard footsteps approaching the room and tensed.

A bolt was slid back and the door opened.

"Good morning, my pretty, did you sleep well?" the grey-cloaked figure stepped into the room.

"You know I did not sleep a wink. Let me go, Sesshoumaru-sama will come soon to kill you."

"Somehow I don't think ssssso. We injured your Lord most severely yesterday...he managed to escape somewhere, he didn't seem to be keen on rescuing you in a hurry" Mahoumaru chuckled.

"You lie!" Rin said stubbornly. "Sesshoumaru-sama will come to save me, no matter what."

"I've brought a friend to visit you today." Someone stepped into Rin's cell behind Mahoumaru. "This is Nibori-sama, in whose palace dungeons you are now staying. Shouldn't you greet your host?"

Rin stared at the Orochi lord before her. He was dressed in fine armour and had long, silky-black hair. He might have been handsome except that his eyes were dull and lifeless, like Kohaku's had been whenever he was under Naraku's control.

"What's wrong with him?" Rin asked. "Why are his eyes like that?"

Mahoumaru gave a shriek of laughter. "What a clever girl for noticing that! Sesshoumaru would be proud of you I'm sure. Well, there's nothing much wrong with Nibori, let's just say his mind isn't quite there for now. It's being borrowed by my master."

Nibori spoke in a harsh voice that did not suit his fine figure. "Sesshoumaru-sama's little girl...all grown up and so pretty...no wonder he keeps you around. Your ningen charms are so that they could warm the loins of even the most cold-blooded youkai...pity that once your beauty fades, he will toss you aside."

"No!" Rin said emphatically. "Sesshoumaru-sama cares for me, he would never do that."

Nibori advanced upon her. "So lovely..." Rin's eyes grew large as the Orochi Lord approached her. Quick as a flash, he shot his head forward and sank his fangs through her kimono into her left breast. Rin screamed and struggled. She felt the paralyzing Orochi venom streaming through her body, and involuntarily felt her muscles slacken.

"I'm returning the bite you gave me eight years ago, though I must say that it probably gives me more pleasure than biting me gave you at that time."

"N-Naraku..."Rin whispered, hanging paralysed. "Impossible!"

Mahoumaru gave a high laugh. "Sesshoumaru allowing a human woman to live in his palace and trail at his feet?...Impossible!"

Rin glared at him, "Shut up!"

The exchange seemed to excite Nibori-Naraku. The possessed Orochi extended a forked tongue and ran it over Rin's cheek. She didn't even have strength to turn away, the Orochi venom immobilized her completely.

"How did you come back? Sesshoumaru-sama killed you!"

"There are ways," Nibori said, still with that harsh, demonic voice. "There is unfinished business on earth for me, so my restless spirit managed to return."

"Unfinished business? The shikon no tama is complete! Kagome has purified it!" Rin knew this much from listening to Sesshoumaru and Jaken. The mysterious jewel which ten years ago had been the cause of all the trouble with Naraku.

"I am not interested in the shikon no tama." Nibori hissed.

"Then why do you seek to return to life?"

Mahoumaru turned as a small white figure entered the room. Kanna had arrived with the magic kagami.

Nibori smiled. "The reason all great warriors return of course..."

Mahoumaru and Kanna positioned themselves in front of Rin. Kanna held the mirror up.

"Revenge."

"My Lord, shall we begin? Kanna's illusion is already in position."

"Begin?" Rin asked in panic, "Begin what?"

Nibori's dull brown eyes fixed upon her. "We have to persuade your Sesshoumaru-sama to give his precious Tenseiga to us, so we have to trade something precious for it."

"S-Something precious?" Rin swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry. Her heart was hammering in her chest so fast and hard she thought she would have a heart attack.

"Something very precious to him. You, of course."

"W-What are you going to do? Are you going to kill me?" Rin choked out her words. Her vision was blurred with fear and she felt light-headed. She was not afraid of death because Sesshoumaru had Tenseiga...but would Sesshoumaru be able to revive her with Tenseiga if he had to give it up to these youkai first? She wondered what eternal death felt like.

"Of course not, Rin. That would be losing our bargaining power. No, don't worry, we won't kill you." Nibori-sama smiled as he ran a hand down her side.

"Then what?"

Kanna tilted the mirror towards Rin and Rin saw her frightened reflection staring back at her in it.

"Something much worse." Nibori ran a clawed hand through her kimono, shredding it and letting it fall to the floor.

"My body is a precious gift from heaven that I may only show to my dearly loved ones, not to strangers!" Rin gasped out what Sesshoumaru had told her only two days ago. "Sesshoumaru-sama will kill you all!"

"Isn't she charming!" Mahoumaru hissed.

The possessed Nibori ran a hand over Rin's full breasts gently. She was unable to move as the Orochi venom surged through her veins, paralyzing her but at the same time, allowing her to feel everything that was being done to her.

Rin's cheeks flamed.

Nibori hands felt their way over her exposed flesh.

She closed her eyes.

The hands snaked below her waist.

Rin began to weep silently.

For the first time in her life, she knew shame.